Multi-probe system using bipolar probes and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

A multi-probe system and a method of lesioning for targeting a region of a vertebral body are disclosed. The method includes inserting a first introducer assembly into a first target location of the vertebral body to provide a first trajectory to access the vertebral body, the first introducer assembly including a first cannula. The method also includes inserting a second introducer assembly into a second target location of the vertebral body to provide a second trajectory to access the vertebral body, the second introducer assembly including a second cannula. The method further includes inserting a first bipolar probe through the first cannula of the first introducer assembly, the first bipolar probe including a first active tip at a distal end of the first bipolar probe, the first active tip including at least two electrodes. The method includes inserting a second bipolar probe through the second cannula of the second introducer assembly, the second bipolar probe including a second active tip at a distal end of the second bipolar probe, the second active tip including at least two electrodes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/272,379 filed Dec. 29, 2015; all of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to bipolar devices for use in the treatment of bone tissue. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-probe bipolar radio-frequency (RF) ablation system for bone tumor ablation.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-probe bipolar lesioning system for treating bone tissue that overcomes disadvantages of conventional ablation systems. Current RF ablation systems for bone tumor ablation are limited in the volume of tissue that they can ablate. Some systems use articulating features, while others use individual RF probes with varying active tip dimensions. None of the existing systems may be able to ablate reliably the medial and posterior-medial aspects of the vertebral body due to the nature of the surgical access. The variation of tumor location within a vertebral body poses a challenge, as the access to the vertebral body is typically limited to transpedicular approaches. As such, there is a need for a system that would provide a comprehensive solution to this problem, where the system provides targeting of the medial and posteromedial aspects using standard techniques.

SUMMARY

The present invention contemplates a method of lesioning for targeting a region of a vertebral body. The method includes inserting a first introducer assembly into a first target location of the vertebral body to provide a first trajectory to access the vertebral body, the first introducer assembly including a first cannula. The method also includes inserting a second introducer assembly into a second target location of the vertebral body to provide a second trajectory to access the vertebral body, the second introducer assembly including a second cannula. The method further includes inserting a first bipolar probe through the first cannula of the first introducer assembly, the first bipolar probe including a first active tip at a distal end of the first bipolar probe, the first active tip including at least two electrodes. The method additionally includes inserting a second bipolar probe through the second cannula of the second introducer assembly, the second bipolar probe including a second active tip at a distal end of the second bipolar probe, the second active tip including at least two electrodes. The method includes positioning the first active tip of the first bipolar probe within the vertebral body. The method also includes positioning the second active tip of the second bipolar probe within the vertebral body. The method further includes supplying power to the first bipolar probe to create a first lesion around the first active tip, and the method additionally includes supplying power to the second bipolar probe to create a second lesion around the second active tip, the supplying power to the first bipolar probe being independent from the supplying power to the second bipolar probe.

The present invention further contemplates the method including the inserting of the first introducer assembly being inserted through a first pedicle, the inserting of the second introducer assembly being inserted through a second pedicle; and the first pedicle being angled within a range of approximately 15-25 degrees oblique to a mid-sagittal plane, the second pedicle being angled within a range of approximately 15-25 degrees oblique to the mid-sagittal plane, the first pedicle and the second pedicle being on different sides of the mid-sagittal plane.

The present invention also contemplates the method including determining an ablation zone to be targeted within the vertebral body; and determining a size of the first lesion and the second lesion that would cover the ablation zone.

The present invention additionally contemplates the method including cooling, internally, the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe during the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe.

The present invention moreover contemplates the method including the inserting of the first introducer assembly and the inserting of the second introducer assembly using a transpedicular approach.

The present invention further contemplates the method including the inserting of the first introducer assembly and the inserting of the second introducer assembly using a bi-lateral approach.

The present invention also contemplates the method including the inserting of the first introducer assembly and the inserting of the second introducer assembly using an extrapedicular approach.

The present invention additionally contemplates the method including the positioning the first active tip and the positioning the second active tip creating an angle between the first active tip and the second active tip; and the angle between the first active tip and the second active tip being approximately 40 degrees to facilitate access to an anterior region of the vertebral body.

The present invention moreover contemplates the method including the angle between the first active tip and the second active tip being approximately 110 degrees to facilitate access to a posterior region of the vertebral body.

The present invention further contemplates the method including the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe occurring simultaneously.

The present invention also contemplates the method including the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe occurring at different times.

The present invention additionally contemplates the method including the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe causing a symbiotic lesion growth between the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe; and the symbiotic lesion growth creating a resultant lesion that is greater than the first lesion and the second lesion combined.

The present invention moreover contemplates the method including the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe allowing for a negative co-operation lesion between the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe; and the negative co-operation lesion being less than the first lesion and the second lesion combined.

The present invention further contemplates the method including measuring temperature of an area surrounding the first active tip of the first bipolar probe; measuring temperature of an area surrounding the second active tip of the second bipolar probe; and adjusting the supplying power to the first bipolar probe based on the measuring temperature of the area surrounding the first active tip of the first bipolar probe.

The present invention also contemplates the method including adjusting the supplying power to the second bipolar probe based on the measuring temperature of the area surrounding the second active tip of the second bipolar probe; and identifying ablation parameters and relative placement of the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe to achieve a desired ablation volume for the positioning the first active tip and the positioning the second active tip.

In one broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a multi-probe bipolar lesioning system that allows two or more bipolar probes to be used simultaneously in order to treat bone tissue.

As a feature of this broad aspect, the system allows for ablating a wide variety of bone tissue volumes using standard surgical access.

As a feature of this broad aspect, the multi-probe bipolar system is usable to treat a vertebral body. In one such example, the multi-probe bipolar system allows for two bi-polar probes to be positioned bilaterally (on both sides of the vertebral body) within the vertebral body using a transpedicular approach to allow for substantially simultaneous lesioning within the vertebral body. In one such example, the multi-probe bipolar system is usable to treat a vertebral body having a tumor therein.

In a further broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a multi-probe bipolar system comprising two bipolar probes that provides temperature controlled power delivery to allow energy to be delivered to each of the two bipolar probes independently.

As a feature of this aspect, the two bipolar probes are positioned relative to each other to allow for separate lesions to be created independently around each probe.

As another feature of this aspect, the two bipolar probes are positioned relative to each other to allow for two lesions to be created independently around each probe, and additionally enables positive co-operation between the two probes that allows for co-operative or symbiotic lesion growth between the two probes, where the resultant lesion is greater than the two independent lesions that would otherwise be formed around each probe.

As another feature of this aspect, the two bipolar probes may be positioned relative to each other to allow for negative co-operation between the two probes where the resultant lesion is less than two independent lesions that would otherwise be formed around each probe.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from a review of the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a top schematic view of a target location in a vertebral bone;

FIG. 2A illustrates a top schematic view of the target location and the positioning of a first bipolar probe and a second bipolar probe in a vertebral body;

FIG. 2B illustrates a side schematic view of the target location and one of the first and second bipolar probes positioned with respect thereto;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the ends of the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 4 illustrates another top schematic view of the positioning of the ends of the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 5 illustrates still another top schematic view of the positioning of the ends of the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 6A illustrates a top schematic view of the first bipolar probe and a lesion formed thereby, and includes a top radiographic view of the positioning of the distal end of the first bipolar probe having an active distal end length of 10 mm and showing an overlay depicting a length and width of a lesion formed thereby;

FIG. 6B illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first bipolar probe during use thereof according to the distal end position of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of 24 mm;

FIG. 7B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 7A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 7C illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 7A and 7B and the probe tip distance delta of 24 mm;

FIG. 8A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of 16 mm;

FIG. 8B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 8A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 8C illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 8A and 8B and the probe tip distance delta of 16 mm;

FIG. 9A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of 12 mm;

FIG. 9B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 9A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 9C illustrates an extra area that may be ablated due to thermal interaction between the lesions formed by the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 9D illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 9A and 9B and the probe tip distance delta of 12 mm;

FIG. 10A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of 8 mm;

FIG. 10B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 10A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 10C illustrates an extra area that may be ablated due to thermal interaction between the lesions formed by the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 10D illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 10A and 10B and the probe tip distance delta of 8 mm;

FIG. 11A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of 4 mm;

FIG. 11B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 11A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 11C illustrates an extra area that may be ablated due to thermal interaction between the lesions formed by the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 11D illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 11A and 11B and the probe tip distance delta of 4 mm;

FIG. 12A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of 0 mm;

FIG. 12B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 12A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 12C illustrates an extra area that may be ablated due to thermal interaction between the lesions formed by the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 12D illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 12A and 12B and the probe tip distance delta of 0 mm;

FIG. 13A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes crossing and touching one another;

FIG. 13B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 13A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 13C illustrates an extra area that may be ablated due to thermal interaction between the lesions formed by the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 13D illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 13A and 13B;

FIG. 14A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of −22 mm;

FIG. 14B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 14A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 14C illustrates an extra area that may be ablated due to thermal interaction between the lesions formed by the first and second bipolar probes;

FIG. 14D illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 14A and 14B and the probe tip distance delta of −22 mm;

FIG. 15A illustrates a top schematic view of the positioning of the distal ends of the first and second bipolar probes including a probe tip distance delta of −30 mm;

FIG. 15B is a top radiographic view of the positioning of the first and second bipolar probes having active distal end lengths of 10 mm and corresponding to FIG. 15A, and showing an overlay depicting lengths and widths of respective lesions formed thereby;

FIG. 15C illustrates temperature and power graphs of the first and second bipolar probes during use thereof according to the distal end positions of FIGS. 15A and 15B and the probe tip distance delta of −30 mm;

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate total delivered energy, lesion area, cooperative area, length (L), width (W), and parameter C of the first and second bipolar probes with varying distal end positions and probe tip distance deltas;

FIG. 20 illustrates another top schematic view of the first and second bipolar probes; and

FIG. 21 illustrates a graph of total energy and probe tip distance of the first and second bipolar probes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of certain embodiments of the present invention only. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A system of the present invention was designed to ablate a wide variety of bone tissue volumes using standard surgical access. More specifically, the present inventors have discovered a multi-probe bipolar lesioning system that allows two or more bipolar probes to be used simultaneously in order to treat bone tissue, such as within a vertebral body. For example, a medial and a posteromedial region of the vertebral body can be targeted using the multi-probe bipolar lesioning system. In some embodiments, the two probes are not delivering energy at the same instance of time. In some such embodiments, the multi-probe bipolar lesioning system comprises two bipolar probes 100A, 100B. In some embodiments, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be cooled RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B that each comprising coaxial bipolar ablation electrodes that are internally cooled. The cooled RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B are usable simultaneously or individually to treat a vertebral body 92 (shown in FIG. 1). The two bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be placed within the vertebral body 92 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be positioned adjacent a tumor 93 within the vertebral body 92 at a bone-tumor interface 194, and may be usable to destroy nervous tissue generating pain signals at the bone-tumor interface 194.

In some embodiments, the cooled RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be advanced into the vertebral body 92 until a distal end 102A 142E of each of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B is positioned at the bone-tumor interface 194 at the edge of the tumor 93 adjacent to nerves 294. In one example, probe active tips 70A, 70B for each of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B, respectively, may be positioned within a trabecular bone 95 within the vertebral body 92 that is encased by an electrically insulative cortical bone 97. In some embodiments, the two or more bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be positioned substantially adjacent the rich nerve supply within the vertebral body 92. In other embodiments, the bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be positioned within or substantially adjacent to the vertebral body 92 in proximity to sensitive structures such as the cortical bone 97 that may be non-conductive, or in other words, may have a low electrical conductivity.

In some embodiments, as mentioned above, the target location is the vertebral body 92 and the multi-probe bipolar system is used to treat the vertebral body 92, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In some such embodiments, an introducer assemblies 4A, 4B may be used to facilitate placement of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B, respectively, of the multi-probe bipolar system. The introducer assemblies 4A, 4B may comprise a cannula with a stylet disposed therein, and may be inserted and advanced to the target location within a patient's body.

In a particular embodiment of a method of the present invention, a bi-pedicular approach is used where the multi-probe cooled RF bipolar system comprises the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B, where each of the bipolar probes 100A, 100E is advanced into the vertebral body 92 using a transpedicular approach.

In one such embodiment, the first introducer assembly 4A is inserted into the vertebral body 92 using the transpedicular approach. More specifically, the first introducer assembly 4A is inserted through the first pedicle (the right pedicle), in order to provide a trajectory to access the vertebral body 92. The first bipolar probe 100A may then be inserted through the cannula and advanced to the target site within the vertebral body 92. The second introducer assembly 4B is inserted into the vertebral body 92, also using a transpedicular approach. The second introducer assembly 4B is inserted through the second pedicle (the left pedicle) and also provides a trajectory to access the vertebral body 92. The second bipolar probe 1998 may then be inserted through the cannula and advanced to the target site within the vertebral body 92.

In some such embodiments, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B are inserted and positioned within the vertebral body 92 using a bi-lateral approach to allow for substantially simultaneous lesioning using the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B. In some such embodiments, energy may be delivered through only one of the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B at a given moment of time.

In other embodiments, the introducer assemblies 4A, 4B may be inserted through the pedicle at any another suitable angle. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the introducer assemblies 4A, 4B may be inserted through a variety of angles in the sagittal/coronal planes. In some such embodiments, the bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be inserted with a relative angle of 75° with respect to one another, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The angle of 75° may represent the nominal angle between the pedicles of a typical vertebra. In still other examples, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be positioned within the vertebral body 92 using an extrapedicular approach. In some such examples, the distance between the probe active tips 70A, 70B may be varied to provide various lesion sizes. In some embodiments, the angle between the bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be about 40° to facilitate access to the back or anterior region of the vertebral body 92 to permit lesioning therein. In another embodiment, the angle between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be about 110° to allow for access to the posterior region of the vertebral body 92. In some examples, the bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be inserted along a symmetric plane of the vertebral body 92.

In one particular example, the introducer assemblies 4A, 4B may be inserted through the pedicle at an angle of about 15° to about 25° oblique to the mid-sagittal plane, which provides a trajectory to access the vertebral body 92. The first bipolar probe 100A may then be inserted through the cannula of the first introducer assembly 4A and advanced to the target site. As such, the first bipolar probe 100A is inserted into the vertebral body 92 at a first target location to the right of the mid-sagittal plane at an angle of about 15° to about 25° to the mid-sagittal plane. The second introducer assembly 4B may be inserted through the second pedicle at an angle of about 15° to about 25° oblique to the mid-sagittal plane, which also provides a trajectory to access the vertebral body 92. The second bipolar probe 100B may then be inserted through the cannula of the second introducer assembly 4B and advanced to the target site. As such, the second bipolar probe 100B is inserted into the vertebral body 92 at a second target location to the left of the mid-sagittal plane at an angle of about 15° to about 25° from the mid-sagittal plane.

In accordance with a method of the present invention, energy may be supplied to the first and second bipolar probes 100A, 100B to allow for a first bipolar lesion 90A to be formed at a first location within the vertebral body 92 using the first bipolar probe 100A, and a second bipolar lesion 90B to be formed at a second location within the vertebral body 92 using the second bipolar probe 100B. In some embodiments, this may allow for the simultaneous use of the first and second bipolar probes 100A, 100B to substantially concurrently create lesions within the vertebral body 92. In one example, these lesions may be referred to as bi-lateral lesions, where the bi-lateral lesions refer to lesions that are simultaneously created on both sides of the vertebral body 92. In some examples, RF electrical energy is delivered primarily on only a given probe at a moment in time. As such, in some embodiments, the system of the present invention allows for “concurrent lesioning” using the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B. In some examples, while the lesions are created at the same time, energy delivery does not occur simultaneously on both bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

Bipolar lesions of different geometry can be created by manipulating the duration and intensity of energy delivered through each of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B in the multi-probe bipolar lesioning system. In some embodiments, an RF generator is provided that supplies RF energy to each of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B in a bipolar manner. In one example, the power output of the RF generator may be temperature controlled. In some such embodiments, direct tissue temperature monitoring is used in conjunction with internal cooling when supplying RF power to form a lesion. The power output may be adjusted based on the measured temperature response of the tissue to RF heating under cooling. The temperature response of the target tissue may be monitored using a temperature sensor such as a thermocouple. In one particular example the thermocouple may be coupled to the distal ends 102A, 102B of the probes 100A, 100B.

In some embodiments of a multi-probe bipolar lesioning system, as discussed above, the two cooled RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B are provided that may be used simultaneously to allow for a lesion to be created around each bipolar probe 100A, 100B. In some such embodiments of the present invention, the multi-probe bipolar ablation system of the present invention may be used for the ablation of the vertebral body 92, including the ablation of metastatic malignant lesions in the vertebral body 92. The system permits the two cooled RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B that each comprise coaxial bipolar ablation electrodes to be used simultaneously. The two bipolar probes 100A, 100B can be matched or mismatched in terms of the ablation volumes they generate. RF electrical energy is delivered on only a given bipolar probe 100A, 100B at a moment in time. However, energy delivery may switch between the two bipolar probes 100A, 109E so rapidly that the tissue around each bipolar probe 100A, 100B can be heated simultaneously. The thermal zone of effect of each bipolar probe 100A, 100B is such that it may cooperate, either positively or negatively, with the ablation zone of the other bipolar probe 100A, 100B. The angle of approach, ablation parameters, and probe sizes can be selected to create a wide variety of lesion forms and geometries. When cooperating positively, the ablation zones can interact in such a way so as to ablate the posterior-medial aspect of the vertebral body 92. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention provide the two internally cooled bipolar probes 100A, 100B comprising coaxial bipolar RF electrodes, and provide an algorithm for identifying the appropriate bipolar probes 100A, 100B, ablation parameters, and relative placement of the probes so as to achieve a desired ablation volume. In other embodiments, the multi-probe bipolar ablation system may comprise three or more bipolar probes. In some embodiments, the two internally cooled coaxial bipolar probes 100A, 100B form two independent isolated systems. In some such examples, both of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B are capable of creating lesions simultaneously but power is not delivered to both of the bipolar probes 100A, 100E at the same time.

In other embodiments, the relationship between ablation parameters and symbiotic ablation growth may vary.

In one example of a method of the present invention, a method of ablating a region of tissue within the vertebral body 92 is provided comprising the following steps: (1) determining the ablation zone to be targeted within the vertebral body 92 (in some examples, this may be done pre-operatively); (2) determining the size of the lesion that would suitably cover the desired ablation zone. In some examples, this involves determining the long and short axis of the ellipsoid that could cover the ablation zone.

This step (2) may involve additionally determining if a desired ablation zone can be effectively covered by a single RF probe. If this is the case; then the appropriate bipolar probe 100A, 100B is selected (either up-sized or a serial “sausage-link” chain of ablations using a down-sized RF electrode). On the other hand, if it is determined that an ablation zone is of a particular size or situated in such a position that it requires bilateral access (requiring the two RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B inserted through individual left and right pedicles), then the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B are appropriately selected. In some such embodiments, the desired volume of ablation determined by the user is matched to the ablation zone.

In some such embodiments; if the desired ablation zone is greater than what would be ablated by the simple addition of the ablation zones created by the two RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B, then the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B can be positioned relative to each other so as to symbiotically create a third zone of ablation 90C between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In one such example, the third zone of ablation 90C is formed through co-operative lesioning through symbiotic growth due to thermal trapping between the individual ablation zones of the two RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B. In some such examples, each lesion grows independently around each of the two RF bipolar probes 100A, 100B until there is heating between the two ablation zones, thereby forming the third zone of ablation 90C. The resultant lesion is larger than the two individual lesions that would have formed around each of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B in the absence of symbiosis. The third zone of ablation 90C forms as a result of the inability of the tissue between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B to effectively dissipate the heat from the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

In some such examples, the nature of the symbiotic growth is a function of: (i) the combination of the two RF bipolar probes used (gauge, RF electrode length, treatment temperature, treatment time). A graph of the symbiotic growth is provided in FIGS. 6-22. In some embodiments of the present invention, a table may be provided that outlines the features and properties that govern the symbiotic relationship.

Based on the selection as per step (2) above, RF energy may be delivered to the patient.

In some embodiments described above, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be positioned relative to one another to allow for negative co-operation between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B where the resultant lesion may be less than two independent lesions that would otherwise have formed around each probe 100A, 100B. In some such embodiments, the bipolar probes 100A, 100B may be positioned close to one another such that the thermocouple of one probe (e.g., the bipolar probe 100A) sees a higher temperature due to power delivery from the other probe (e.g., the bipolar probe 100B), which may result in the system not delivering as much power to the first bipolar probe (e.g., the bipolar probe 100A), which may result in a smaller lesion size of the resultant lesion.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, alternate energy delivery methods such as ultrasound or microwave may be used that may be capable of accomplishing substantially the same outcome. In still a further alternative, a navigable system (steerable) may be provided. In some such examples, the navigable system may be used alternatively to or in conjunction with embodiments that provide for symbiotic lesion growth. In an additional alternative of the present invention, the physician may attempt to access the vertebral body 92 from different angles so that the area (at least some of the area or substantially the area) that is otherwise ablated using symbiotic growth may be directly placed within the ellipsoid of a “normal” ablation zone.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a temperature controlled system where the temperature parameter is used towards/to facilitate symbiotic lesion growth. In some examples, the system of the present invention provides for temperature controlled power delivery where the system comprises the two or more cooled-tip RF bipolar probes 100A, 100E with each probe 100A, 100B comprising bipolar electrodes. The system of the present invention, in some embodiments, is usable for ablation of bone tumors. Furthermore, some embodiments of the present invention provide information on the degree of symbiosis between the bipolar probes 100A, 100B (and lesions formed thereby) in a multi-probe bipolar system.

In some examples, the present invention provides for symbiotic growth of lesion between multiple cooled RF electrodes for the purposes of bone ablation. In some examples, embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-probe cooled RF bipolar ablation system that facilitates ablation in bone tissue that may have reduced electrical conductivity. The system provides a means to create a symbiotic relationship during lesion formation and provides a clinical methodology that facilitates ablation accordingly.

In one broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a multi-probe bipolar lesioning system that allows the two or more bipolar probes 100A, 100B to be used simultaneously in order to treat bone tissue.

As a feature of this broad aspect, the system allows for ablating a wide variety of bone tissue volumes using standard surgical access.

As a feature of this broad aspect, the multi-probe bipolar system is usable to treat the vertebral body 92. In one such example, the multi-probe bipolar system allows for the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B to be positioned bilaterally (on both sides of the vertebral body 92) within the vertebral body 92 using a transpedicular approach to allow for substantially simultaneous lesioning within the vertebral body 92. In one such example, the multi-probe bipolar system is usable to treat the vertebral body 92 having the tumor 93 therein.

In a further broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a multi-probe bipolar system comprising the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B that provides temperature controlled power delivery to allow energy to be delivered to each of the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B independently.

As a feature of this aspect, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B are positioned relative to each other to allow for separate lesions to be created independently around each bipolar probe 100A, 100B.

As another feature of this aspect, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B are positioned relative to each other to allow for two lesions to be created independently around each bipolar probe 100A, 100B, and additionally enables positive co-operation between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B that allows for co-operative or symbiotic lesion growth between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B, where the resultant lesion is greater than the two independent lesions that would otherwise be formed around each bipolar probe 100A, 100B.

As another feature of this aspect, the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B are positioned relative to each other to allow for negative co-operation between the two bipolar probes 100A, 100B where the resultant lesion is less than two independent lesions that would otherwise be formed around each bipolar probe 100A, 100B.

Some embodiments of the present invention may utilize an RF Ablation System, including an OsteoCool RF Generator, an OsteoCool Pump, OsteoCool Extension Cable, and an OsteoCool probe having distal ends of 10 mm. RF Procedure Settings may include an RF Target temperature: 70° C., a Temperature Ramp Rate: 10° C./min, a Procedure Duration: 7:30 min, and a Maximum Power: 20 W.

Test Media may include fresh chicken breast. Sample preparation may include the chicken breast being immersed in hot water to reach 37° C., and thereafter placing the warmed test tissue between two acrylic plates. This setup may facilitate visualization of lesion formation and also help better understand the cooperative growth of the lesions.

The formation of lesions in the test tissue under the parameters discussed above and according to the probe positions discussed below can be recorded using photographic and/or radiographic processes. The set-up and results of the tests are depicted in FIGS. 6A-19.

Probes are inserted into the test tissue with a relative angle (θ) of 75° between the probes, as depicted in FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A. As provided above, probe tip distance deltas Δx may vary, as illustrated by FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A, 10A, 11A, 12A, 13A, 14A, and 15A. 75° may represent an example of an angle (θ) between the pedicles of a typical vertebra.

Formation of a single lesion using a single probe 100A, as depicted in FIG. 6A, may be measured as a reference during testing. L (16 mm) and W (13 mm) denote lesion length and width, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6A. FIG. 6B illustrates temperature and power graphs of the probe 100A resulting from use thereof, where the area under the power-time graph yields the total energy delivered to tissue during an ablation procedure. A second probe's thermocouple may be used to identify the boundary of an ablation zone where the temperature remains around 45-50 CC.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of 24 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=15 mm and L_(B)=16 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=13 mm and W_(B)=14 mm), and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of 16 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=16 mm and L_(B)=16 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=13 mm and W_(B)=13 mm), and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of 12 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=16 mm and L_(B)=14 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=13 mm and W_(B)=13 mm), and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B. FIG. 9C further illustrates an extra area or areas that may be ablated due to the thermal interaction of the two lesions. Parameter C (e.g., C₁ and C₂) is the distance between the line connecting the centers of the two lesions and the boundaries of the extra ablated area. C₁ is the distance between the line connecting the centers of the two lesions and the top of the extra ablated area, as shown in FIG. 9C. C₂ is the distance between the line connecting the centers of the two lesions and the bottom of the extra ablated area, as shown in FIG. 9C. According to the orientation of FIG. 9C, this understanding for C₁ and C₂ is generally applicable to FIGS. 10C, 11C, 12C, 13C, 14C, 18, 19, and 20.

FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of 8 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=16 mm and L_(B)=14 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=13 mm and W₆=13 mm), extra areas formed by the thermal interaction of the two lesions, and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 11A-11D illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of 4 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=16 mm and L_(B)=15 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=13 mm and W_(B)=14 mm), extra areas formed by the thermal interaction of the two lesions, and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of 0 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=14 mm and L_(B)=13 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=13 mm and W_(B)=11 mm), extra areas formed by the thermal interaction of the two lesions, and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate a probe tip distance P-P where the distal ends of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B cross and touch one another, corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=14 mm and L_(B)=14 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=14 mm and W_(B)=12 mm), extra areas formed by the thermal interaction of the two lesions, and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of −22 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=16 mm and L_(B)=15 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=15 mm and W_(B)=15 mm), extra areas formed by the thermal interaction of the two lesion, and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B. A negative probe tip distance delta Δx indicates that the distal ends of the probes are crossing and extend past one another, as shown in FIG. 14A.

FIGS. 15A-15C illustrate a probe tip distance delta Δx of −30 mm and corresponding lesion lengths (L_(A)=17 mm and L_(B)=16 mm) and lesion widths (W_(A)=15 mm and W_(B)=15 mm), and temperature and power graphs resulting from use of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

FIGS. 16-19 illustrate a drop in a total lesion area that may be expected when the bipolar probes 100A, 100B are placed close to one another. An extra ablation area of up to 11% may be expected when the process includes a probe tip distance delta Δx of about 8 mm.

When the bipolar probes 100A, 100B are placed close to one another, the overall shape of the ablation zone may be characterized by six parameters: L_(A), W_(A), L_(B), W_(B), C₁, and C₂, as shown in FIG. 20.

The total delivered energy and lesion area graphs of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B, as provided above, illustrate a minimum (due to cooperative heating/lesioning) that occurs when thermocouples of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B are placed close to one another, as shown in FIG. 21. Cooperative heating/lesioning may result in a reduction in the length and width of the lesion by up to 20%. At a particular probe distance delta Δx, an extra ablation area of 11% may result. This extra ablation area may be the result of thermal interaction between the two lesions 90A, 90B of the bipolar probes 100A, 100B.

The embodiment(s) of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of lesioning for targeting a region of a vertebral body, the method comprising: inserting a first introducer assembly into a first target location of the vertebral body to provide a first trajectory to access the vertebral body, the first introducer assembly including a first cannula; inserting a second introducer assembly into a second target location of the vertebral body to provide a second trajectory to access the vertebral body, the second introducer assembly including a second cannula; inserting a first bipolar probe through the first cannula of the first introducer assembly, the first bipolar probe including a first active tip at a distal end of the first bipolar probe, the first active tip including at least two electrodes; inserting a second bipolar probe through the second cannula of the second introducer assembly, the second bipolar probe including a second active tip at a distal end of the second bipolar probe, the second active tip including at least two electrodes; positioning the first active tip of the first bipolar probe within the vertebral body; positioning the second active tip of the second bipolar probe within the vertebral body; supplying power to the first bipolar probe to create a first lesion around the first active tip; and supplying power to the second bipolar probe to create a second lesion around the second active tip, the supplying power to the first bipolar probe being independent from the supplying power to the second bipolar probe.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting of the first introducer assembly is inserted through a first pedicle, and the inserting of the second introducer assembly being inserted through a second pedicle.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first pedicle is angled within a range of approximately 15-25 degrees oblique to a mid-sagittal plane, the second pedicle being angled within a range of approximately 15-25 degrees oblique to the mid-sagittal plane, the first pedicle and the second pedicle being on different sides of the mid-sagittal plane.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining an ablation zone to be targeted within the vertebral body.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: determining sizes of the first lesion and the second lesion that would cover the ablation zone.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: cooling, internally, the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe during the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting of the first introducer assembly and the inserting of the second introducer assembly use a transpedicular approach.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting of the first introducer assembly and the inserting of the second introducer assembly use a bi-lateral approach.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the inserting of the first introducer assembly and the inserting of the second introducer assembly use a extrapedicular approach.
 10. The method of claim 1, the positioning the first active tip and the positioning the second active tip creating an angle between the first active tip and the second active tip.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the angle between the first active tip and the second active tip is approximately 40 degrees to facilitate access to an anterior region of the vertebral body.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the angle between the first active tip and the second active tip is approximately 110 degrees to facilitate access to a posterior region of the vertebral body.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe occur simultaneously.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe occur at different times.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe causes a symbiotic lesion growth between the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the symbiotic lesion growth creates a resultant lesion that is greater than the first lesion and the second lesion combined.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying power to the first bipolar probe and the supplying power to the second bipolar probe allows for a negative co-operation lesion between the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the negative co-operation lesion is less than the first lesion and the second lesion combined.
 19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: measuring temperature of an area surrounding the first active tip of the first bipolar probe; measuring temperature of an area surrounding the second active tip of the second bipolar probe; adjusting the supplying power to the first bipolar probe based on the measuring temperature of the area surrounding the first active tip of the first bipolar probe; and adjusting the supplying power to the second bipolar probe based on the measuring temperature of the area surrounding the second active tip of the second bipolar probe.
 20. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying ablation parameters and relative placement of the first bipolar probe and the second bipolar probe to achieve a desired ablation volume for the positioning the first active tip and the positioning the second active tip. 